Daniel+Lauren

Setting The Course

Last weekend on the first day of Informa Markets “Coterie” trade show at the Javits Center in New York City’s Hudson Yards, the first in 19 months after the COVID19 pandemic, “Coterie” held a conversation with Fern Mallis, an industry Godmother who’s spearheaded New York Fashion Week in what the industry knows it as even to this day.

Fern’s beginnings stemmed from the old Mademoiselle magazine where Fern planted her fashion footprint as a guest Editor before becoming a staff Editor, then moving onto the selling side of fashion at numerous businesses before starting her own Public Relations firm, which led Fern to head the CFDA where Fern was truly the one who shaped New York Fashion Week to new heights.

Fern came up with the idea of having as many designers as possible gather in one big place, turning to Bryant Park to achieve this vision, seeking out sponsorship from all key places to achieve for the first-time ever that New York Fashion Week had corporate sponsors, opening up more opportunities for NYFW to show off to the press what was trending in fashion for one given season, New York Fashion Week would eventually be bought out by IMG and Fern stayed on after NYFW changed hands.

One important day that Fern truly led the charge of NYFW at Bryant Park was September 11, 2001, knowing instantly when the second plane hit World Trade Center that we were under a terrorist attack, and stopped models from walking the runway on that day and in the days to come, also telling press to take off their stilettos, and go out on some sneakers instead to cover another story, and many stories and tragedies played out on the day of 9/11/2001.

Once New York Fashion Week wrapped up its time at Bryant Park before moving to Lincoln Center in 2010, Fern thought it was a perfect time to move on and take a year off, which led Fern to her next adventure in interviewing notable designers with 92Y, which will resume in-person events soon following a hiatus thanks to COVID19, and will also be live-streamed.

And in a brief moment after the the conversation with Fern Mallis, Daniel plus Lauren asked how we can move forward in the fashion industry, it all comes down to fashion being more sustainable, putting in the work to achieving sustainability.

Daniel Quintanilla

High Fashion From The Beginning

Last Weekend, Informa Markets held its first MAGIC/ COTERIE trade show at the Javits Center in New York City’s Hudson Yards in 19 months following the COVID19 pandemic where no in-person trade shows were taking place, the MAGIC component Daniel plus Lauren experienced was the Princess Daliana baby and children’s collection at a with higher quality and designs than most children’s collections.

Princess Daliana got its roots from the designer’s mother, who’s from Dalian City, China, where their mother was already a designer of children’s clothes for over 30 years in China, the designer came to America to attend college, but stayed after college because they loved the United States so much.

Princess Daliana was created in 2017 as an extension of their mother’s children’s designs that specialize in high-end children’s fashion mainly for girls that make pieces for moments like being a flower girl for weddings, communions gowns, and soon will produce boys high-end pieces since the designer’s expecting to have a baby boy real soon.

Princess Daliana’s top selling line of high end pieces are girl’s christening gowns for that all important first event of a child being their Baptism, Princess Daliana is mainly sold in the Northeast Corridor of the United States, Princess Daliana also has business relationships with Urban Outfitters and Sophia’s Styles which is one the largest online clothing retailer in America.

Fabrics used to make Princess Daliana’s one of a kind high end children’s collection come from polyester and satin on the outside, but it’s Princess Daliana’s 100 percent cotton produced for the inner lining of Princess Daliana’s pieces that makes for a comfortable baby and children’s clothing collection.

What also sets Princess Daliana apart from others are that both the manufacture and the designs are owned by the same people, eliminating the middleman, and keeping price points down of their high-end collection; and Fashion Consultant, Patricia Ann Parenti, also contributed to putting together this piece at the MAGIC trade show.

Daniel Quintanilla

By Patricia Ann Parenti

Chuks Collins showed his collection on Sunday, September 12, 2021 as a presentation at The Sunken Living Room at Spring Studios during New York Fashion Week. As you can see in the photos everyone sat on the top rows of the area while the models cascaded in the Sunken area of the red carpeted room. After the models walked and twirled for the cameras, they all lined up against the wall so you could still see the clothes.

Chuks Collines is a fashion designer and a multi-disciplinary visual artist who uses creativity to tell his story. He was raised in England and Nigeria. In one of the photos, you can see references to African prints being used in shorts and a shirt for a man; and a short straight skirt over a red asymmetrical skirt for a woman. As a child in Nigeria, his grandmother taught him tailoring. This shows in this collection because every garment was custom made in the Bronx, NY just to fit the model. Expand the photos and you can see true craftmanship in every piece of clothing. American Made Couture is what this collection is all about.

The inspiration for his Couture Collection was from him taking photos of cocoons and studying the resurrection process of the butterfly. His other inspiration came from muscular bodies of people. After taking all these photos he pinned them to what we call a mood board in the fashion industry where he was able to look at the board daily for inspiration on designing.

I love his use of jewel and bright colors ranging from tones of yellows, royal blues, wine reds, browns. His fabrics were soft and flowing and African inspired prints with cocoons. He does lots of fabric manipulation that includes pleating, boning, corset style tops, tailoring and structured shoulders (which make women feel strong and powerful) and beading. Since it was a presentation, I was able to get up close to the models after it was over to view the garments. What I noticed is many of the gown’s fabrics had a sheen to them which will make them stand out at a gala or black-tie affair. Some of the other dresses had pleated fabric made into ruffles at the skirt that would be perfect for dancing because they moved when the wearer of the dress danced.

He creates flattering gowns and dresses for both regular sizes and plus sizes. His fashions are very feminine and lady like and will make any woman stand out in the room. His collection definitely empowers women and makes them feel and look like a Queen! This is the perfect collection to wear to make women feel good again after 18 months of wearing casual clothes due to the Pandemic. To find out more about Chuks Collins, his clothing collection or to have something custom made for you then go to WWW.CHUKSCOLLINS.COM

Patricia Ann Parenti

Tough Handled Easy

Over at the Prince George’s Ballroom in New York City on September in the final hours of New York Fashion Week, there’s a new collection that busted out on the scene, and filled the iconic New York landmark with lines as far as up the block on a Sunday evening, it’s Untourage The Label making debuting its first-ever season with Spring & Summer 2022.

Untourage bridges the gap between street sensibility, femininity, and fit that is effortless, chic, and super cool.

Designed for a social moment of cocktails, slaying the scene with our NYTSUA Dress is the ultimate day-to-night silhouette.

Imported denim fabric, the midi dress features button details along a high split, with light distressing.

Finish the look with a killer heel.

Featuring a new release the Flight Suit is a edgy essential.

This capsule features the signature ruching on the arms and legs.

This design give you a zip-up and take flight feel, cinching in the waist while creating a body hugging fit.

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With all this stunning streetwear that meets the everyday life, Untourage The Label also had Hip Hop artists perform in-between the final look and the collection of looks cat walking to close New York Fashion Week, with Fashion Expert, Patricia Ann Parenti, attending the show to provide insight on the iconic Prince George Ballroom where this Uber-popular runway show took place.

Daniel Quintanilla & Patricia Ann Parenti

A Heartfelt Catwalk

At the end of New York Fashion Week, it was a Sunday filled with all the glam and powerful color, sequins, and statements to be made, it’s the Infinite Exposure Shows with 5 designers that include Virginia Cathey Collections, MJ-My Joy, Charmonisky, Glow-Art, and Jiovanna Gordon, all impactful with their designs, and supporting the American Heart Association.

Virginia Cathey Collections

This is the My Elegance In Focus collection by Virginia Cathey, comprised of hooded green dresses with split, red sequin dress, versatile vests, multi-colored body tight dresses and leggings, as well as multi-colored hoodies in same printed designs, a collection that is a can’t miss.

MJ-My Joy

MJ-My Joy designs its collection of super-enhanced comforts being tops, bottoms, and hoodies out of a life that was lost before it was even born, MJ’s son was born a still born, and did not have a chance to come into the world, so creating MJ-My Joy the collection was created with a purpose with the love and support of his family, as MJ did not just come to live very briefly without meaning.

Charmonisky

With its Egyptian theme dresses, Crochet jumpsuits, and Crochet dresses, Charmonisky has apparently made Crochet designs a high-end fashion luxury one must invest in not only for style, but for a very strong staple to hold in your closet.

Glow-Art

Apparent from its inspiration of still art and a huge play on distinct colors, Glow-Art is a portal to experience the ethereal through the use of everyday earthly items, including people, make up and lighting, it is a GOD Source inspired photography, Creator, Ron Vestal, says he does it to expand the conscious and unconscious feeling and though of his audience.

Jiovanna Gordon

For both womenswear and menswear, Jiovanna Gordon delivers hard-hitting and elegant pieces that are a cause to stop and stare at the play on a collaboration of colors with men’s, and a play on feathers with women’s.

Infinite Exposure Shows with their talented designers are not just about walking the runway of New York Fashion Week, #IEFW is all about raising money, where 100 percent of all proceeds go to the American Heart Association.

Daniel Quintanilla

Rising Stars

Albeit it was a dark historic 20th anniversary of 9/11 in New York City during New York Fashion Week, this day also brought a sign of life and hope for an extremely bright future in the world of fashion as Fashion Bomb Daily held its day long runway show featuring up and coming designers such as Bree Original Designs and Khangle.

Bree Billiter (Bree Original Designs)

Bree proudly presents the collection of “The Ocean’s Cathedral”, where the ocean will forever be part of who Bree is.

In Bree’s words…. “Stage 1 of my life cycle ..me as a caterpillar.

My foundation is soaked in the colors of the ocean and the magic that floats within the waves.

Colors dance across the tides as the ocean distorts them creating stained glass lasting till the horizon.

We worship the beauty and bask in the colors as the sun sinks into the water and bright orange and pinks wash over our skin.

This collection is called the Ocean’s Cathedral as it mimics not only the magical colors of the ocean but the creatures within it… mystical or otherwise.”

Khangle

Khangle is a “Dreamer”, filled with metallic and artistic prints painted onto menswear, and especially womenswear where all the colors are brought into a canvas of ambitious designs consisting of blue, white, purple, and violet acting as one, but each color having its own space to be who it truly is, plus silhouettes and symmetric design justifying the abstract paint canvas inspiration which Khangle aims for in his Spring & Summer 2022 “Dreamer” collection.

Daniel Quintanilla

A Century In

Hours after the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks were observed in New York City, the five boroughs continued on with New York Fashion Week where Daniel plus Lauren headed off to Brooklyn to encounter a trip into the the middle of the 22nd Century with Perfect Universe and its bold Spring/ Summer 2022 collection that plays off the idea of the future.

Perfect Universe is an extension of Perfect Population by KL Allen, taking fashion into the year 2160, who went crazy with a lot of different prints by creating signature prints that set KL Allen apart from other designers, it’s big designer prints with a futuristic tone.

Perfect Universe is a utopia of bright colors where greens, yellows, and grays play a very prominent role in the circuit boards inspiration, the year 2160 has molded itself as the absolute flawless world to live in with no fears, no troubles, no worries, and all the chaos is eradicated so much, that fashion is the number one and only thing you need to worry about.

Perfect Population strives to focus in on quality and style, creating wearable trends that are chic and fashion forward for the everyday man and woman.

Perfect Population specializes in Women’s sportswear, evening gowns, party dresses, men’s sportswear, casual wear and accessories which include sunglasses, handbags and footwear.

Daniel Quintanilla

Celebrate, We Are Strong

Days after Summer unofficially winded down, and 5 days before Broadway made its triumph return post the COVID19 pandemic, New York Fashion Week was roaring as strong as ever with in-person runway shows again gracing the many spots of Manhattan, Daniel plus Lauren with partner, Patricia Ann Parenti, were at Sony Hall on Friday, September 10 to witness the Anthony Rubio collection, celebrating what life in New York City once was now that the COVID19 lockdown is over, albeit COVID19 is far from over.

The Anthony Rubio Spring & Summer 2022 collection is a much-needed gift to those New Yorkers who’ve endured 15 months of lockdown where New York Life suddenly stopped and was at a standstill, no crowds, no theater shows, no nightlife, just social distance, no holiday festivities, just last calls before 11 p.m. and take home cocktails to say the least.

Anthony Rubio’s NYC SS2022 collection is made up of bright colors, festivities, and joy, designs celebrating the opulence for women, men, and their dogs which are the centerpiece for Anthony Rubio’s pieces, Anthony uses luxurious fabrics such as brocades and sequins in gowns along with high and low style designs.

Anthony Rubio makes your dog look as beautiful as you with dresses for dogs in the same fabrics, it’s all about dressing up again post COVID19, going out of the house and living as you were before the Coronavirus pandemic ever hit our shores.

Anthony Rubio’s love letter to New York City with its joyous Spring/ Summer 2022 collection beautifully tells the world that NYC is alive and kicking, NYC is still showing its best, and like the rest of the world, NYC still has lots of work to do to get out of the tunnel that is still the COVID19 pandemic, but New York’s hard work and grit move it further along to the light.

You can learn more about this extraordinary Spring & Summer 2022 collection for you and your dog BFF by going over to anthonyrubiodesigns.com.

Daniel Quintanilla & Patricia Ann Parenti

The Beauty Of Black

Negris Lebrum made its bold comeback on the 20th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks just below Union Square in Manhattan at Ideal Glass Studios for New York Fashion Week with its Spring & Summer 2022 collection, continuing its “Love Story” series with the next chapter with new and exciting plaids, also partnering with LaunchMetrics for its triumph return to the runway after runway shows were out of commission for 18 months thanks to the COVID19 pandemic.

This Love Story is the foundation of Negris LeBrum, and is rooted in the company slogan Lenoir est Joli…”Black is Beautiful.”

Brand founder Travis Hamilton’s design process is heavily influenced by his Southern Creole roots, and the Negris LeBrum love story is a tale of an older woman of the same name who lived in the designer’s hometown.

As a light-skinned Creole young woman, she could pass as a white person but chose to remain true to her Black roots.

She fell in love with a dark-skinned Black man, and their romance caused an uproar.

Each collection pays homage to the courage of this amazing woman, and the boldness of the color black.

“She was a grandmother in our hometown. I knew her and her family. Her granddaughter and I are very good friends,” Hamilton recalled. “I always felt that people not liking you because of the choice of you loving someone because of their color always bothered me. I just wanted to do something and bring out the positive in it.”

Each collection pays homage to the courage of this amazing woman, and the boldness of the color black!

Daniel Quintanilla & Patricia Ann Parenti

Arriving Back

For 19 months, we’ve been waiting for this moment to return, the time where we seek out the latest fashions, designs, and prints for the upcoming Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer season, the time where buyers put in their orders in their department stores and boutiques, plus celebrate the season that’s ahead, all that’s been missed thanks to the COVID19 pandemic, while also mired with fall starts, but today’s the day where Coterie by Informa Markets gets to have its long-awaited return like Broadway did earlier last week, Coterie kicks off today once again its 3 day fashion trade show from the Javits Center here in lower Manhattan at New York City’s Hudson Yards, showing off the Spring/ Summer 2022 season, and it’s no better time than to dream of the resort destination we’ll go to next year, the perfect candidate Daniel plus Lauren sought out for resort wear is Moda Baronessa.

First launching in Mexico with 3 retail stores, Moda Baronessa found its way to being a resort destination collection while having a pop-up store in Beverly Hills, California in COVID19, where Moda Baronessa launched as a private label, and only being exclusively available in resort wear areas, it’s now added traditional retail department stores and boutiques to sell its debut collection around the world, and here in the United States of America.

Buyers are into the fitted tailored dresses and silks, there’s also a sale on a Mystique style piece that’s very Bristol which is an open kimono and a tailored dress at the same time, where you get multiple wears out of a single piece which people have been buying and loving out of Moda Baronessa.

Moda Baronessa works solely with ready to wear silks, fabrics that are manufactured and designed in India, Moda Baronessa’s swimwear fabrics range from nylon to spandex, and are manufactured in China.

In this beautiful collection made by Moda Baronessa, they’ve gradually launched their resorts wear destination collection around the world, now they’ve gone on a feverish pace in retailers to launch this debut collection here in the U.S. in universal retailers, and are due to launch another new collection in February for the Fall/ Winter 2022-23 season.

Daniel Quintanilla